HAPPY IN FIRENZE !!!

BRUNELLESCHI DOME ( CUPOLONE )

Florence began to build a new cathedral in 1296. But wars, politics, and plague slowed construction so work on the Dome didn't start for more than a century.

At the beginning no one seemed to have a viable idea how to build a dome nearly 150 feet across and it would have started 180 feet above the ground.

So in 1418 it was announced a contest for the ideal Dome design with the prize of 200 gold florins to the winner.

Filippo Brunelleschi won the contest with an ambitious project. He promised to build not one, but two Domes, one inside the other. His Dome would consist of two concentric shells an inner one visible from within the cathedral nested inside a wider, taller, external dome.

He'd build the first 46 feet in stone, after which he would continue with lighter material, either spugna or brick.

The first technical problem was how to lift the enormous heavy materials. Brunelleschi invented a three-speed hoist with an intricate  system of gears, pulleys, screws, and driveshafts, powered by a single yoke of oxen turning a wooden tiller. It used a special rope 600 feet long and featured a groundbreaking clutch system that could reverse direction without having to turn the oxen around. He made also other innovative lifting machines, like the castello.

On March 25, 1436, The Feast of Annunciation, Pope Eugenius IV consecreted the finished Cathedral.

Ten years later another illustrious group laid the cornerstone of the lantern, the decorative marble structure that Brunelleschi designed to crown his masterpiece.

Brunelleschi died in 1446 and was buried in the cript of the cathedral.

We can see a particular reproduction of the Dome at Parco dell'Anconella, a nice natural area in the south of Florence.

The belief in a thing makes it happen.

FIRENZECard

The Firenzecard costs 72€ and grants admission to the major museums, villas and historical gardens in Florence. It is promoted by the Municipality of Florence, the Ministry for the Arts and Cultural Activities, the Regional Direction of Cultural Heritage, the Special Superintendence for Historical, Artistic and Ethnic-anthropological Heritage and for the Museum Circuit of the city of Florence, the Province of Florence and the Chamber of Commerce of Florence, in collaboration with ATAF

Firenze Card costa 72€ e permette l'accesso ai principali musei, ville e giardini storici della città di Firenze. È promossa dal Comune di Firenze, dal Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali, dalla Direzione Regionale dei Beni Culturali, dalla Soprintendenza Speciale per il Patrimonio Storico, Artistico ed Etnoantropologico e per il Polo museale della città di Firenze, dalla Provincia di Firenze e dalla Camera di Commercio di Firenze, in collaborazione con ATAF.

Click here http://www.firenzecard.it/index.php?lang=en to get your card

FLORENCE ON SHOW

The Tower of San Niccolò tells the story of Florence's "fortitude and beauty": the pietra forte shows the local provenance of the sandstone; its architecture is a trace of the medieval walls that used to enclose the city; the stunning sight of Florence is a dream that comes true.

Every day from 5 pm to 8 pm, last departure at 7,30 pm. Guided tours every 30 minutes, 4 euro. Reservation is recommended. In case of rain the tours will be cancelled.

For information and reservations tel. 055-27 68 224/558

24 JUNE / 30 SEPTEMBER

Smile under the Sun. Dance in the Rain. Like there is no tomorrow.

  

Sorridi sotto al Sole. Danza nella Pioggia. Come se non esistesse domani.

BLOG UNDER  CONSTRUCTION

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I love the silent hour of night,

For blissful dreams may then arise,

Revealing to my charmed sight

What may not bless my waking eyes.

A. B.

Amo l'ora silente della notte,

Perchè un sogno felice nasce allora,

Rivelando alla mia vita incantata

Ciò che il mio occhio sveglio non adora.